June 3rd, 2023
7minute read
Human beings are tribal.
In no place is this weird tenet more overtly manifest than in the military.
I once saw a man die trying to earn the privilege of wearing a funny-looking hat.
The AH-1W SuperCobra was an extensively-upgraded version of the Vietnam-era gunship with new sensors, fresh weapons, and an upgraded powertrain. Image: NARA
Its indeed a strange old world.
Each organization espouses unique strengths and weaknesses, and some of their turf overlaps.
Dueling Gunships
The U.S. Army deployed the firstAH-1G Cobragunships to Vietnam in the summer of 1967.
An AH-1 SuperCobra helicopter comes in to Landing Zone Bluebird during CAPEX ’92. Image: NARA
Now stick with me here.
The Marines requested Snakes of their own, which they ultimately christened SeaCobras.
These new versions were eventually designated the AH-1T.
An AH-1W SuperCobra helicopter takes off from Tallil Air Base, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Two U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters are visible in the background. Image: NARA
By the end of the Vietnam War, the Marine Corps had taken delivery of 49 twin-engine SeaCobras.
T-models had an extended fuselage, TOW missile capability, and advanced targeting systems.
The Shahs Snakes
In 1971, the Iranians were our buddies.
A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1W SuperCobra fires rockets during an exercise at Chocolate Mountain Gunnery Range. Image: Lance Cpl.Jeremy L. Laboy/U.S.M.C.
The Shah of Iran was a fairly bloodthirsty despot, but he was our bloodthirsty despot.
The Iranians then proceeded to fly the heck out of those machines.
Most of the Iranian Cobra combat action took place against the Iraqis during that bloody seven-year war.
A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter flies over Florida during close-air support training on the massive live-fire ranges. Image: NARA
Along the way, Iranian Snake drivers killed scads of Iraqi tanks with their TOW-armed gunships.
They also scored air-to-air victories against Iraqi Mi-8 andMi-24 helicopters.
The Combloc Mi-24 was faster and more heavily armed, but the Cobra was much more nimble.
A right-side view of a U.S. Marine AH-1 Cobra helicopter in flight during a training mission in 1986. Image: NARA
There were even three confirmed kills by AH-1J pilots against MiG-21 Fishbed jet fighters.
Iranian gunship pilots also claimed one Su-20 and the shared downing of a MiG-23.
All of the fast-mover kills were the result of engagements with the 20mm M197 cannon.
U.S. Navy Sailor Lou Robinson guides an AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter onto a landing deck aboard theBaylander(IX-514) while underway in Pensacola Bay. Image: NARA
All the Iranian Cobras are simply worn out these days.
Ali Akbar Shiroodi and Ahmad Kashvari are two Iranian Cobra jocks who are considered national heroes in Iran today.
This upgraded version was redesignated the AH-1W SuperCobra.
Lance Cpl. Matt Riddle guides an AH-1W SuperCobra after refueling at Jalibah Air Base, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Image: NARA
The Marines eventually fielded 179 newly-manufactured SuperCobras alongside 43 examples that were upgraded from previous AH-1Ts.
This would have made the program prohibitively expensive.
As a result, the Marines went back to Bell asking for yet another upgrade to their Vietnam-era warhorses.
Two U.S. M.C. AH-1W SuperCobra helicopters provide close air support during a firefight between elements of D/Company, 1ST LAR, and Iraqi Forces on April 3, 2003. Image: NARA
Bell actually developed the final AH-1Z in-house.
They rechristened this aircraft the Viper.
The biggest departure from previous versions of the Snake was its four-bladed composite rotor system.
Lance Cpl. Patrick Reardon, U.S.M.C., refuels an AH-1W SuperCobra helicopter at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Image: NARA
The AH-1Z has provision to mount a Longbow radar system on one wingtip station.
The latest AH-1Z has a fuselage length of 45 feet and a maximum gross weight of 18,500 pounds.
The gunships maximum useful load under ideal conditions is 5,764 pounds.
On Route 27 near An Nu’maniyah, Iraq U.S. Marines question detainees while an AH-1W SuperCobra helicopter flies overhead. Image: NARA
Maximum speed is 200 knots with an expected cruise speed of 142 knots.
They are nominally subordinate to the Navy and often in competition with the Army.
As far as budgets are concerned they are eclipsed by the Air Force.
A U.S.M.C. AH-1W SuperCobra helicopter prepares to liftoff from the flight deck onboard theU.S.S. Bonhomme Richard(LHD 6) during Exercise KERNAL BLITZ 99. Image: NARA
That often means they have to fight hard for their turf.
In no place is that more evident than in the circuitous development of the AH-1Z Viper.
The AH-1Z is the result of half a century of mechanical and tactical evolution.
